Why I practise art therapy through a decolonial approach
I came to art therapy as a migrant and a person shaped by non Western ways of knowing. My family stories were carried through Buddhist and Taoist temple visits, songs, recipes and conversations passed down in different languages and dialects. Those stories guided how we healed, how we gathered, and how we made meaning. When I started clinical art therapy training, I felt the gap between what was familiar to my culture, identity and community compared to what was presented as universal. A decolonial approach is how I choose to bridge this gap. It is not only a philosophy but a daily practice of remembering where knowledge comes from, who holds power, and how care can be shared.
What decolonial practice means to me
I begin with place and people. I am an art therapist practising my craft in Darwin, Larrakia. I acknowledge the sovereignty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and seek local guidance. In my work with First Nations children, I prioritise building relationships with Elders and knowledge holders. I also accept direction about what is and is not mine to do.
I share power. The First Nations children I worked with decide what to make, whether they wish to keep or leave it, and who can see it. We agree in plain language about consent, image use and the life of the artwork. Consent is ongoing and can be withdrawn.
I honour cultural and intellectual property. Designs, stories, songs and images belong to people and Country. I do not copy sacred motifs or styles in my own work as this is cultural appropriation. I seek permission and credit properly if images were used.
I respect language and pace. English is often the third or fourth language for Aboriginal Australians. The children often taught me words in their language and laughed because I struggled with pronunciation. I speak multiple languages myself as a Malaysian and appreciate how Indigenous Australian children navigate both the Western world and their cultural ways through speaking fluidly between languages. I also slow my rhythm to match what feels safe. Silence, parallel making and gentle endings are welcome.
I centre collective wellbeing. Aboriginal Australians share complex kinship network structure. I rarely do one-on-one session with Indigenous children in remote community as collective wellbeing is integral to the wellbeing of the individual child. I explore community issues with a group of children in Indigenous community.
I stay accountable. I seek cultural supervision, invite feedback from local women and stakeholders, and repair when I cause harm. Reflection and learning are part of every week.
How this shapes the room
The studio is set up for choice. You can choose your materials, your level of privacy, and the amount of talking. We agree on pause and stop signals. We decide together how works are held, shared or returned.
Materials and themes are selected with care. We source ethically, support Indigenous owned suppliers when possible, and avoid token imagery. Place based making, for example, ochre or charcoal, is used only with permission.
Stories are held with dignity. You are the author of your story. I do not publish or exhibit without informed, specific and reversible consent. If you change your mind, we honour that.
Outcomes are meaningful. Rather than measuring only symptom reduction, we look for change that matters to you, for example steadier nervous system regulation, pride in identity, stronger family connection, or safer expression of grief and joy.
Why this matters for my clients
Decolonial practice widens what counts as knowledge and healing. It reduces pressure to fit a narrow idea of normal. It invites ways of making that feel familiar to many cultures, and it makes space for sovereignty over your story. For clients who have experienced systemic racism, micro aggression, migration stress or intergenerational trauma, this approach can offer steadier ground, more agency, and a kinder pace for recovery.
An invitation
If this approach resonates with you, I welcome a conversation. We can begin with a short meet and greet to check the fit, talk about language and cultural needs, and design a first session that feels respectful. Your knowledge is welcome in this room. Your story remains yours.